Auction will benefit charities

Bradeen Real Estate and Auctions is celebrating 100 years of doing business in Custer by doing two things it has done all 100 years of operation: conducting an auction and giving back to the community.
This Saturday, April 29, beginning at 11 a.m. Bradeen Auctions will conduct a 100th anniversary celebration and auction, from which 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to charities throughout the Black Hills.
Bradeen Real Estate and Auctions owner Ron Bradeen said in trying to think of how to celebrate the business’s 100th anniversary, the idea came about to go back to the company’s roots, which at one time was conducting just as many, if not more, benefit auctions than for-hire auctions.
“We used to enjoy the heck out of them,” he said.
And, Ron said, hundreds of those auctions were conducted in the old log building that is home to Custer YMCA. Because of that, it just made sense to have a benefit auction in the venerable old building.
“We thought we’d tie the two together, have an auction in the log building and benefit everybody,” he said. “It made sense.”
Over the years Bradeen Auctions has held benefit auctions for nearly every charitable organization, church, school, team, service club group and other worthy cause. Earlier this year the business got the word out to region charities the auction would take place, and that they were invited to be one of the beneficiaries of the auction. Somewhere between 25 to 40 charities answered that call.
Those charities were encouraged to round up items to be sold to the highest bidder, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the charity. It doesn’t stop there, however. Individuals, clubs and others have also donated items to be sold, designating a charity to which the proceeds are to be donated.
The event won’t be just an auction, either.
Live music will be provided by Brenden Hendrickson and the Midnight Sun Band with special guest Roy Hendrickson, and a free buffalo sandwich lunch will be provided. There will also be door prizes.
Items to be sold include jewelry, a wedding venue and a family reunion venue for 50 to 60 people from Camp Bob Marshall, wildlife-related items from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited, film experiences from Black Hills Film Festival, a 10-inch protable wood planer, vehicles, a brand new chest-type freezer, a large variety of gift certificates, tables, quilts, atwork, a World War I sabre, a brand new set of golf clubs and much, much more.
More information about the auction can be found at bradeenauction.com and simulcast internet bidding will be available and auctioneers from around the region are invited to show off their skills at the event.
Once the auction is over the celebration will continue at 7 p.m. at the Custer VFW.
The public is invited if only to come join in the celebration and “have lunch on Ron Bradeen.”
“I just know we will have a lot of fun down there,” Ron said. “I hope everyone comes down. There will be stories told, and I think some of them might even be true.”
Bradeen Auctions was started by Bert Bradeen, Ron’s grandfather, and then run by Bob Bradeen before Ron took over.
In an article in last week’s Progress Edition, Ron said back when it was just the 75th anniversary of the business, he was asked what he hoped for the 100th anniversary. He replied that he just hoped he’d be able to get up and out of his wheelchair.
“I did make it, and I’m not in a wheelchair, so I’m hanging in there,” he said.
“I’ve been involved in the business for over 50 years,” Ron said.
After “semi-retiring,” he hopes to make some more trips to visit family but says “there’s no place I’d rather live. It’s a wonderful, wonderful community.”